But that remains a genuine concern, especially if the tournament organizers and participating countries can't reach an extension to the five-year agreement on the structure of the Heineken Cup in the coming months.

WSJ: Cup That Could Hold More

"Democrats agree that there should be permanent extension to the middle-class tax cuts, that there shouldn't be a permanent extension of tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires, " said White House press secretary Bill Burton.

WSJ: Democrats Gird for Tax-Relief Battle

Bonds sold off from the start of trading, and the selling accelerated after Moody's Investors Service said that the U.S. sovereign-debt could be negatively affected by the extension of tax cuts and if the government can't get its growing debt under control.

WSJ: Tax-Cut Deal Results in Turmoil for Bonds